Gov. Hutchinson: No high school graduation ceremonies prior to July 1 by Michael Tilley
Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Saturday (April 25) that traditional high school graduation ceremonies will not be allowed prior to July 1. Arkansas Department of Education officials also are reviewing options in the event it is not safe to fully open schools in the fall.
The governor and Arkansas Department of Education Secretary Johnny Key said during Saturday’s COVID-19 press conference they know the delay is disappointing to many, but is necessary for public safety.
“I’m very sympathetic because I have a granddaughter who is a senior in high school this year. But it’s really a risk whenever you bring thousands of parents and students together in one assembly to have a celebration, and that’s exactly the kind of gathering that could lead to a spread of COVID-19,” Gov. Hutchinson said.
Key said he would “encourage” school districts to wait until after July 1, but the department is open to alternative graduation plans. He said the department will contact superintendents this upcoming week to let them know how to submit proposals.
“There are a number of techniques that schools have already started exploring to see how they could make this happen as a celebration for their seniors, at the same time, taking into consideration and following our social distancing protocols, the restrictions of congregant gatherings of 10 or more people,” Key said.
He also said the department will continue to monitor data and work the Arkansas Department of Health to consider any modifications to the July 1 order. He also said social distancing guidelines and other directives issued by the governor will prevent private schools from having a traditional graduation.
Education officials and educators also are preparing options in the event COVID-19 spread remains a public health crisis when schools should open in the fall.
“We have teams of teachers we brought together, and principals and superintendents, that are planning out different scenarios and possibilities. It is something that we are looking at and hopefully we’ll be presenting the governor with options coming up in the next couple of weeks,” Key said.
Gov. Hutchinson said the “first option” is to have schools open as normal, but it’s important to have other options in place.
COVID CASES
Known COVID-19 cases in Arkansas totaled 2,830, as of Saturday afternoon, up from 2,741 on Friday. Of the 89 new cases between Friday and Saturday, 47 were inmates in the Cummins state prison.
Of the total of cases, 1,813 are active, with the remainder accounting for deaths and recoveries. The number of deaths rose from 46 to 49. The number of COVID patients hospitalized in Arkansas was 104 on Saturday, unchanged from Friday. Of the COVID-19 patients, 22 were on ventilators, down from 25 on Friday.
As of Saturday at 1 p.m., there were 924,376 U.S. cases and 52,782 deaths. Globally, there were 2,865,938 cases and 200,698 deaths.
While we are all safe at home the resurfacing of the MSD Patriot Stadium continues. It’ll be ready for our students and community once it’s safe and we’ve been given the ok by the head of the district facilities and our local government. Go Patriots! ❤️🤍💙
We love you all! ❤️❤️
Just a reminder, meals will not be provided until Friday. Beginning yesterday, meals will only go out on Tuesdays and Fridays. Tuesdays drop off provides breakfast and lunch to cover Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Then on Fridays drop off the meals cover breakfast and lunch for Friday and Monday.
COVID-19 for Kids.
A great infographic to explain to our kids about the COVID-19 virius.
Paper packets for the months of April and May are now available at the central administration office and at all bus stops where food is being delivered. They will be given out on a first come first served basis and will be available until the end of the school year.
As a reminder paper packets for days 1-10 can be turned in on Tuesday's from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm at the building your student attends.
Please continue to check our website for the latest information concerning online AMI.
Be Safe, Stay Healthy, GO PATRIOTS!
A reminder that beginning tomorrow we will begin bringing meals out Tuesday and Friday's. Tomorrow we will bring breakfast and lunch to cover Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Then on Friday we will bring breakfast and lunch for Friday and Monday. See attached updated routes and times.
MSD wants to give a SHOUT-OUT to all those in the Child Nutrition department and those who help CN distribute meals to our community.
Last week alone they served a total 5,508 meals to our kids across the district. They've served a grand total of 20, 279 meals to our community.
Words can't express our thanks for the work CN and those who've helped them on the bus routes delivering these meals week after week. Thank You!
Greetings Patriots,
As many of you are aware presently all Arkansas Public Schools are charged with following the guidelines from the Arkansas Department of Health. The latest general guidelines for Gatherings are listed below, followed by the most current specific directive regarding Graduation.
Arkansas Department of Health- Gatherings
Limitations on Gatherings 10 people / 6 feet The Secretary of Health, in consultation with the Governor, has sole authority over all instances of quarantine, isolation, and restrictions on commerce and travel throughout Arkansas, as necessary and appropriate to control disease in the state of Arkansas as authorized by Ark. Code Ann. §20-7-109—110. Based on available scientific evidence, it is necessary and appropriate to take further action to ensure that COVID-19 remains controlled and that residents and visitors in Arkansas remain safe. All public and private gatherings of any number of people occurring outside a single household or living unit are subject to the following directives and exceptions: · Due to the high risk of community spread of COVID-19, gatherings of more than ten (10) people in any confined indoor or outdoor space are prohibited until further notice. Gatherings subject to this directive include, without limitation, community, civic, public, leisure, commercial, or sporting events, concerts, conferences, conventions, fundraisers, parades, fairs, and festivals. · This directive does not apply to gatherings of ten (10) or more people in unenclosed, outdoor spaces such as parks, trails, athletic fields and courts, parking lots, golf courses, and driving ranges where social distancing of at least six (6) feet can be easily achieved. · This directive does not apply to businesses, manufacturers, construction companies, places of worship, the Arkansas General Assembly, municipal or county governing bodies, or the judiciary; however, these entities are advised to limit person-to-person contact and maintain appropriate social distancing of at least six (6) feet to prevent the spread of this virus. · The Secretary of Health reserves the right to exercise his authority to prevent the spread of disease in this State if, in his judgment, any of the excluded entities are operating in a manner that is a risk to public health.
Arkansas Department of Health- Graduation
Based on the current directives, a total of 10 or less at the site would be required. The schedule for students (and their guests) to appear on campus should be spaced out to avoid having more than one student and his/her group on campus at a time. The number of family members present should be limited to maintain a total of 10 at all times. That would be a maximum of 6 family members/guests assuming the number of staff is limited such as superintendent, principal, and camera operator. Having no more than one family on campus at a time would also be critical. Out-of-state family members and guests from areas with high rates of COVID-19 should be restricted as these individuals are to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in the state. (Check ADH website for the most up-to-date list of affected areas.)Wearing gloves and masks for all present is recommended and all attendees must maintain the proper social distancing. Students cannot congregate in rooms or facilities while waiting for the ceremony. Screen everyone upon arriving for the exercises and exclude individuals with fever during the previous 48 hours, persistent or unusual cough, shortness of breath, direct contact with someone tested positive for COVID-19, out-of-state travel history from areas with high rates of COVID-19.
Obviously, in their present forms, these directives prohibit events like our prom and graduation from occurring in their traditional format. Consequently, we offer the following – first, we are postponing the final decision on prom until May 9.
If by May 9 the Department of Health has modified their position to allow events like prom to occur, then we will hold prom as per normal on the evening of May 16.
However, if the applicable health directive has not been modified appropriately by May 9 then, unfortunately- prom will be cancelled for this year. We fully understand that these dates represent short notice for preparation, but this scenario does provide as much time as possible for the health directives to be modified.
We do plan to hold graduation on May 18 at 5:00 p.m. as originally scheduled. However, the major caveat is in what format it will occur. Again, if the Secretary of Health has modified the directive to allow such by May 9, then graduation will occur as per normal on May 18.
Moreover, if the appropriate health directives are not modified sufficiently by May 9, then graduation will occur in a modified virtual format that will be streamed on the internet at 5 p.m. on May 18.
The virtual format will include the following components: 1) Caps and gowns and diploma covers will be made available for pick up by all students well in advance of the event. 2) All presentations from the Principal, Superintendent, Class President and our top-ranked graduate will be pre-recorded. 3) On the recording, Principal Johnston will call the name of each graduate and the official yearbook photograph of that student will be shown on the screen, along with a listing of any awards or special honors that the student has earned. 4) For students who failed to have their yearbook photo made last fall, provisions will be made for an opportunity to have a substitute photo made by the MHS staff. If students choose not to have a substitute photo made, only their names will appear in the video. 5) Diplomas will be mailed out to students in good standing who have completed ALL graduation requirements as soon as possible following the event. 6) Information on how to access the program electronically will be provided well in advance of the event.
This format will allow students in their caps and gowns and with their diploma covers to celebrate with their families and friends as they watch the ceremony in the comfort of their own homes.
While we clearly understand that a Virtual Graduation does not replace all of the nuances of a normal graduation event, it does offer an opportunity for each student and their accomplishments to be celebrated as families see fit.
Based on the unprecedented circumstances that we are all enduring presently, these options seem to be the best alternatives that we can provide at this time. However, as we have stated above, if changes occur that create new windows of opportunity we will certainly investigate them fully.
Respectfully,
Dr. Glen Fenter
Marion School District Superintendent
Beginning Tuesday April 21st Marion School District will implement changes to our meal delivery service. Until further notice all meals will be delivered on Tuesday and Friday’s.
Monday April 20th breakfast and lunch will be delivered as scheduled.
Tuesday April 21st a breakfast and lunch item will be handed out for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
Friday April 24th a breakfast and lunch item will be handed out for Friday and the following Monday.
Additionally, the following subdivisions will be added beginning Tuesday. Updated delivery schedules will be posted on websites and social media sites soon!
Harden Village
St John’s Landing
Dr. Vickers-Ball usually takes a group of students to Graceland this time of year. Due to COVID-19 tours have been stopped but she didn't want that to stop her students from taking a tour of Graceland.
Checkout the links for Gates of Graceland parts 1 and 2 on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/ZhnExKsnkeE
https://youtu.be/_2HqwzYdzEo
Where to return AMI days 1-10:
Attention Current 6th Grade Parents and Students! Here is the form to fill out for NEXT year’s 7th Grade classes. Please contact Ms. Lovely, 7th Grade Counselor, if you have any questions. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf5TvpoyzgNlnjvHgehdT6_QtNcwJVLl1QCSrlRuQX_jU6Udg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1
For as long as schools are closed, Amazon's audible is open. Right now, kids everywhere can instantly stream an incredible collection of stories, including titles across six different languages, that will help them continue dreaming, learning, and just being kids.
All stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet.
Click this link --> https://stories.audible.com/start-listen
and explore the collection, select a title and start listening.
Please see the picture for updated food drop off locations and times. Casa Terra and Skyline have been added to the Dollhouse route. The times for delivery have changed for Country View and the Doll Houses as well due to the addition of the two subdivisions.
A reminder for Patriot Parents/Guardian: Completed paper packets for days 1-10 can be turned in at the main office of the building where your student attends on Tuesdays ONLY from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, or they can be turned in on Fridays ONLY to any of the buses that are delivering food. These packets will be accepted through May 1st. Stay safe, stay healthy, and GO PATS!
Patriot Parents/Guardian:
Completed paper packets for days 1-10 can be turned in at the main office of the building where your student attends on Tuesdays ONLY from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, or they can be turned in on Fridays ONLY to any of the buses that are delivering food. These packets will be accepted through May 1st.
Stay safe, stay healthy, and GO PATS!
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